Narain Karthikeyan: India's FIRST F1 Driver confirmed!!

sridhar24 · 1st February 2005, 18:31

If the news is confirmed then its really cool at last we can see the first Indian driver racing in an F1 car.

gkrishn · 1st February 2005, 19:24

Looks like the remaining 10% is singing of the aggrement. To happen in next couple of days. Narain has started talking about the super licence.

Quote:

"It's a momentous day for me and it has indeed been a long journey," Karthikeyan said.

"Today, I can see my dream of becoming India's first F1 driver become a reality. The last 48 hours have been very tough and very hectic. We've had good news in the end, so it has eventually been worth all that."

"The super licence is the most important thing right now. I've done well in other races but I still have to do about 300 kilometres ... over the next few weeks to get it. It won't be a problem though," he said.

"I've raced with drivers such as Jenson Button and (Takuma) Sato before, and I've beaten them on my day," he said. "They're doing pretty well in Formula One, so that gives me confidence that I too can compete."

Oh man.. i thought this guy will never make it... and now he is so close and its getting desperate.

Rtech · 1st February 2005, 21:38

[size=6]It's Official!!! India's first ever Formula one driver has been confirmed!

[size=2]Confimed in a press conference today. Just saw it on NDTV. Well, we finally have one of our own to cheer!![/size]
[/size]

speedsatya · 1st February 2005, 21:56

Indian racing ace Narain Karthikeyan has reached an agreement in principle with Jordan to drive with their Formula One team for the 2005 season. The agreement will be finalized in the next few days.

An elated Karthikeyan told newspersons on Tuesday: "It is a momentous day for me. It has been a long journey. After a successful last year at the Nissan World Series, today I am able to see my dream of being the first Indian driver to secure a Formula One berth become a reality.

"I must also take the opportunity to thank the Tata group, who were the first to support me during the World Series."

The 28-year-old Chennai-born driver's campaign will be backed by Tata motors and BPCL, who will both initially have their logos on the car by virtue of being his sponsors.

But before he lines-up for the season opener in Melbourne, on March 6, he has to obtain the Super license that's needed to race in Formula One. Getting it won't be a problem, he said.

"The super license is the most important thing right now. I've done well in other races but I still have to do about 300 kilometres; over the next few weeks to get it."

Karthikeyan will be the first Indian in motor racing history to take part in the F1 Championship.

Over the last three years he has test-driven for Jordan, Jaguar and Minardi.

In 2003 Minardi offered him a drive, but he was unable to raise the huge sponsorship money required to secure the offer.

Talking about his chances, Karthikeyan, who drives in the World Series Championship, was optimistic.

"I've raced with drivers such as Jenson Button and [Takuma] Sato before, and I've beaten them on my day," he said. "They're doing pretty well in Formula One, so that gives me confidence that I too can compete."

Factfile on Narain Karthikeyan:

Nationality: Indian

Age: 28

Born: January 14, 1977, Chennai

Son of G.R. Karthikeyan, a former Indian rally champion

1996 - Formula Asia champion, first Indian to win the title

1997 - Sixth overall in British Formula Opel Championship, including first place from pole at Donington Park

1998 - Two third-place finishes out of eight Formula Three races, at Spa-Francorchamps and Silverstone.

1999 - Sixth overall in British Formula Three championship with five podium finishes and two wins at Brands Hatch.

2000 - Fourth on Formula Three circuit, winning races at Spa and in the Korea F3 Super Prix.

2001 - Test drives for Jaguar, becoming first Indian to drive a Formula One car. Also test-drives for Jordan.

2003 - Test drives for Minardi, gets an offer to drive in the Formula One season but misses out after failing to raise the huge sum of money needed to secure the offer.

2004 - Wins two races in the 2004 Nissan World Series

2005 - Secures drive with Jordan for the 2005 season.

Website: www.narainracing.com

F50 · 1st February 2005, 23:20

Ok guys one question now that Narain is in F1 so will you all stop cheering for your favourite driver and start to cheer Narain?

I wont, Schumi is God and will remain that!!!

Gordon · 2nd February 2005, 09:34

I'll cheer for all except Montoya!

gkrishn · 2nd February 2005, 09:51

Its always kimi for me... now will also have to track narain.

Quote:

Originally Posted by F 50

Schumi is God

Really???? Does he exists???
Just kidding...

haryan · 2nd February 2005, 10:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by gkrishn

Its always kimi for me... now will also have to track narain. Really???? Does he exists???
Just kidding...

yeah he does exist .... If you have any doubts pls check out the following

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/showth...?t=1634&page=4

gkrishn · 2nd February 2005, 10:17

Quote:

yeah he does exist .... If you have any doubts pls check out the following

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/showt...p?t=1634&page=4

Nonono... I am not into this. Schumi is a very good driver. But its just that my fan following is else where.

haryan · 2nd February 2005, 10:50

Now i have to support Two drivers at Two opposite ends of the F1 grid ....
MS and NK ...

manaa45 · 2nd February 2005, 11:15

hey three cheers t narain karthikeyan. good that at this age he has been able to acheive this. we all sincerely hope that he performs well. alll the best to him

btw you mumbaites should read today's mid-day, sachin after having som many controversies for his ferrari and michael schumaccher gifting him one and all , says that he is gonna shift his loyalties to narain. good for narain but will sachin's consience prick him to have got a car from one champion and cheer for another. ????????????

shubbhi

haryan · 2nd February 2005, 11:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by manaa45

but will sachin's consience prick him to have got a car from one champion and cheer for another. ????????????

shubbhi

THAT ia absolutely no problem as I have been supporting Michael Schumacher loyally since 1993 and all of a sudden my loyalty is now divided between MS and Narain ... i think our national pride helps us to switch loyalty

shravan316 · 2nd February 2005, 11:54

This is awesome news! Narain finally gets into F1. I had almost lost hope of seeing him in the grid amongst the big boys of F1, but, all of a sudden he is in!
I will definately cheer for him, and i hope he gets the best out of the given machinery.

ariesmale870 · 2nd February 2005, 12:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by manaa45

hey three cheers t narain karthikeyan. good that at this age he has been able to acheive this. we all sincerely hope that he performs well. alll the best to him

btw you mumbaites should read today's mid-day, sachin after having som many controversies for his ferrari and michael schumaccher gifting him one and all , says that he is gonna shift his loyalties to narain. good for narain but will sachin's consience prick him to have got a car from one champion and cheer for another. ????????????

shubbhi

the less said about sachin the better

Note from Moderator: Please do not use slang on the board

ariesmale870 · 2nd February 2005, 12:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by F 50

Ok guys one question now that Narain is in F1 so will you all stop cheering for your favourite driver and start to cheer Narain?

I wont, Schumi is God and will remain that!!!

ARE YOU KIDDING?
SCHUMI AND RUBINO RULE....RED RULES EM ALL!!!!!

1st February 2005, 18:31	#46
sridhar24 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 1,049 Thanked: 90 Times	If the news is confirmed then its really cool at last we can see the first Indian driver racing in an F1 car.
	() Thanks

1st February 2005, 21:38	#48
Rtech Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,765 Thanked: 371 Times View My Garage	[size=6]It's Official!!! India's first ever Formula one driver has been confirmed! [size=2]Confimed in a press conference today. Just saw it on NDTV. Well, we finally have one of our own to cheer!![/size] [/size]
	() Thanks

1st February 2005, 21:56	#49
speedsatya Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: bangalore/manga Posts: 3,167 Thanked: 742 Times View My Garage	source=http://in.rediff.com/sports/2005/feb/01nar.htm Indian racing ace Narain Karthikeyan has reached an agreement in principle with Jordan to drive with their Formula One team for the 2005 season. The agreement will be finalized in the next few days. An elated Karthikeyan told newspersons on Tuesday: "It is a momentous day for me. It has been a long journey. After a successful last year at the Nissan World Series, today I am able to see my dream of being the first Indian driver to secure a Formula One berth become a reality. "I must also take the opportunity to thank the Tata group, who were the first to support me during the World Series." The 28-year-old Chennai-born driver's campaign will be backed by Tata motors and BPCL, who will both initially have their logos on the car by virtue of being his sponsors. But before he lines-up for the season opener in Melbourne, on March 6, he has to obtain the Super license that's needed to race in Formula One. Getting it won't be a problem, he said. "The super license is the most important thing right now. I've done well in other races but I still have to do about 300 kilometres; over the next few weeks to get it." Karthikeyan will be the first Indian in motor racing history to take part in the F1 Championship. Over the last three years he has test-driven for Jordan, Jaguar and Minardi. In 2003 Minardi offered him a drive, but he was unable to raise the huge sponsorship money required to secure the offer. Talking about his chances, Karthikeyan, who drives in the World Series Championship, was optimistic. "I've raced with drivers such as Jenson Button and [Takuma] Sato before, and I've beaten them on my day," he said. "They're doing pretty well in Formula One, so that gives me confidence that I too can compete." Factfile on Narain Karthikeyan: Nationality: Indian Age: 28 Born: January 14, 1977, Chennai Son of G.R. Karthikeyan, a former Indian rally champion 1996 - Formula Asia champion, first Indian to win the title 1997 - Sixth overall in British Formula Opel Championship, including first place from pole at Donington Park 1998 - Two third-place finishes out of eight Formula Three races, at Spa-Francorchamps and Silverstone. 1999 - Sixth overall in British Formula Three championship with five podium finishes and two wins at Brands Hatch. 2000 - Fourth on Formula Three circuit, winning races at Spa and in the Korea F3 Super Prix. 2001 - Test drives for Jaguar, becoming first Indian to drive a Formula One car. Also test-drives for Jordan. 2003 - Test drives for Minardi, gets an offer to drive in the Formula One season but misses out after failing to raise the huge sum of money needed to secure the offer. 2004 - Wins two races in the 2004 Nissan World Series 2005 - Secures drive with Jordan for the 2005 season. Website: www.narainracing.com
	() Thanks

1st February 2005, 23:20	#50
F50 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mumbai/USA Posts: 1,704 Thanked: 103 Times	Ok guys one question now that Narain is in F1 so will you all stop cheering for your favourite driver and start to cheer Narain? I wont, Schumi is God and will remain that!!!
	() Thanks

2nd February 2005, 09:34	#51
Gordon Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 2,550 Thanked: 508 Times View My Garage	I'll cheer for all except Montoya!
	() Thanks

2nd February 2005, 10:50	#55
haryan BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: HYDERABAD INDIA Posts: 345 Thanked: 5 Times	Now i have to support Two drivers at Two opposite ends of the F1 grid .... MS and NK ...
	() Thanks

2nd February 2005, 11:15	#56
manaa45 BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: nerul, navi mum Posts: 359 Thanked: 49 Times	hey three cheers t narain karthikeyan. good that at this age he has been able to acheive this. we all sincerely hope that he performs well. alll the best to him btw you mumbaites should read today's mid-day, sachin after having som many controversies for his ferrari and michael schumaccher gifting him one and all , says that he is gonna shift his loyalties to narain. good for narain but will sachin's consience prick him to have got a car from one champion and cheer for another. ???????????? shubbhi
	() Thanks

2nd February 2005, 11:54	#58
shravan316 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,029 Thanked: 10 Times	This is awesome news! Narain finally gets into F1. I had almost lost hope of seeing him in the grid amongst the big boys of F1, but, all of a sudden he is in! I will definately cheer for him, and i hope he gets the best out of the given machinery.
	() Thanks